Ticketing Info

Tudor Grand Designs

A building can shape an entire way of life. At Hampton Court Palace it provided a stage for some of the most significant events in English history. For a Tudor monarch and their courtiers their building can tell us about politics, diplomacy and court etiquette of the time. Discover the elaborate architectural homebuilding projects of the royal Tudors and how they shaped the lives of those that lived inside them.

SpeakerSimon Thurley, writer, architectural historian, broadcaster and former Chief Executive of English Heritage and Museum of London. After reading History at university and completing an MA and PhD, Simon has devoted his career to working with history, museums, archaeology and heritage. Since 1989 he has regularly featured on Television and radio presenting on history and heritage programmes. In addition he has published numerous books including his most recent, Houses of Power: The places that shaped the Tudor world.

This is part of our season of evening talks at Hampton Court Palace on finding favour at court. The Tudor royal court entertained a vast community of people who provided the engine of the monarchy. From mistresses to politicians and servant to nobleman, who held the positions of power? Join us this autumn as we explore how courtiers moved up and down the Tudor court hierarchy in a dangerous game of snakes and ladders. Did they succeed or fail?